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From Streets To Classrooms: Nagaland Issues Advisory To Enrol Child Beggars In Schools

Last Updated: The advisory calls for identifying children aged between 6-14 years, especially those seen begging or who have dropped out before completing their elementary education The Nagaland government has issued an advisory to identify underprivileged children, including those involved in begging, and enrol them in government schools. The Directorate of School Education issued the advisory following recommendations from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), which had earlier urged central and state governments to take concrete steps to protect and rehabilitate individuals involved in begging, including children. According to officials, the advisory calls for identifying out-of-school children aged between 6 and 14 years, especially those seen begging or who have dropped out before completing their elementary education. The advisory also includes children aged 3 to 6 years whose parents are engaged in begging and who are not enrolled in pre-schools, Anganwadi centres, or Balvatika programmes. Principal Director of School Education, Shashank Pratap Singh, has urged NGOs, municipal councils, village and town councils, churches, student unions, and the general public to assist in this effort. He appealed to them to report details of such children to the Child Helpline 1098, which will help with their enrolment into the nearest government schools. All District Education Officers (DEOs), Sub-Divisional Education Officers (SDEOs), and Senior SDEOs have been asked to work with District Child Protection Units and Child Welfare Committees to ensure the smooth admission of these children, in line with the Right to Education Act, 2009. The NHRC has stressed that despite several government schemes aimed at poverty relief, the issue of begging, especially involving children, continues across the country. According to the 2011 census, over 4.13 lakh people in India were recorded as beggars or vagrants, including children, women, the elderly, and transgender persons. (With inputs from agencies) view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.